NJ A556

Requires the New Jersey Department of Health to encourage health care facilities, pediatricians, family practice physicians, and other licensed health care professionals to implement a "Reach Out and Read Program" promoting early literacy for children ages six months to five years during well-child visits

Program goals include encouraging shared-reading activities between parents and children, developing children's language and social-emotional skills, and enhancing parent-child relationships

DOH must prepare and distribute information on the national Reach Out and Read Program in print and on its website, and post a link to the online application to become a program site

Applies to licensed health care facilities including general hospitals, special hospitals, public health centers, maternity hospitals, and birthing facilities

Takes effect on the first day of the third month following enactment